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Rajnath reaches out to forces over radio, says 'ready to sacrifice anything for unity of India'

With the security environment constantly changing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called upon the armed forces to be prepared for any challenge that may come their way. 

Rajnath Singh Independence Day radio message for forces-VPN
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New Delhi, First Published Aug 14, 2021, 9:33 PM IST

With the security environment constantly changing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called upon the armed forces to be prepared for any challenge that may come their way. 

"I assure you (soldiers) that the government is ready and will continue to always meet the needs of you and your loved members," Rajnath Singh said during his radio address to the armed forces on the eve of 75th Independence Day. 
 
On occasion, he also remembered the soldiers who laid down their lives in securing India's sovereignty and assured their family members that not only all Indians are with you, but the grateful nation will always remember them.

"If non-violence is our ultimate duty, protecting the nation's integrity is equally important," he said, adding, "We are ready to sacrifice anything for maintaining that unity and integrity."

In order to maintain peace and prosperity in the country, "it is necessary that you should be alert and aware in protecting the nation wherever you are in water, land, sky", the minister said.

India-China border standoff 

In eastern Ladakh, efforts are being made to resolve the differences on the Line of Actual Control through dialogue with China. 

"The process of disengagement has been completed at some places," the defence minister said.

Ceasefire violations 

The situation along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir has remained under control in the last year due to the strict vigilance maintained by the forces. 

Since February 2021, ceasefire violations have also come down. 

Olympics 
 
Rajnath said, "Our Army Subedar, Neeraj Chopra has made this year's Independence Day even sweeter by winning the first Gold medal in the Javelin throw event of track and field competitions for the country at the Tokyo Olympics."

Subedar Neeraj, as well as other Olympic medalists of Indian athletes, have been specially invited to the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15.

Defence budget 

The government has always been aware of meeting the armed forces operational requirements, Rajnath said. 

In the Union Budget for the financial year 2021-22, the capital outlay has been increased from Rs 1.13 lakh crore to Rs 1.35 lakh crore, which is 18.75 per cent higher than the previous financial year. 

Rajnath assured the forces that the government will take every step to protect the country.

Rafale Aircraft

In order to maintain the operational edge of the Indian Air Force, the government had signed a government-to-government agreement with France for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft. 

So far, 26 aircraft have arrived in India. A new batch of Rafale fighters was formally inducted into the 101 Squadron at Hashimara Air Force Station of Eastern Air Command on July 28.

Rajnath assured that the remaining Rafale aircraft would soon arrive in India, bringing qualitative enhancement in the defence capability of the country's air power.

LCA Tejas MK-1
 
On January 13, the Union Cabinet decided to procure indigenous fighter aircraft 83 LCA Tejas MK-1A for the Air Force at the cost of about Rs. 46,000 crore (Rs. 45,696 crore). 

Light combat Aircraft MK-1A is a fourth-generation state-of-the-art fighter aircraft designed and developed in our own country. 

"This aircraft will be manufactured in India itself by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This is a remarkable example of strengthening the aim of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the field of defence," the defence minister said.

IAC Vikrant
 
Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant completed its four days maiden sea voyage on August 8. 

Rajnath said that the Vikrant is built with over 76 per cent indigenous materials and is a major achievement of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and provides thrust to the Indian Navy's 'Make in India' initiatives.

Submarines 
 
In another important initiative, Rajnath informed that the government had launched a project worth over Rs 40,000 crore for the construction of 6 conventional submarines named Project 75 (India) for the Indian Navy on July 20. 

The Request for Proposal for Acquisition Programme under Strategic Partnership Model has been issued to the partners selected for the project. 

DRDO

Briefing the forces about the DRDO achievements, Rajnath said that the agency recently successfully demonstrated hypersonic scramjet technology with the testing of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle. 
 
It also launched an anti-tank guided missile through a man-portable launcher. Recently, the New Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile was successfully test-fired. 

The flight tested the working of the complete weapon system, which comprises of the missile, an indigenously-developed RF seeker, launcher, multi-function radar and command, control and communication system.

BRO work

Rajnath said that the Border Roads Organisation personnel have always been working to ensure road connectivity in the inaccessible areas of remote northern and eastern India. 

The most important example of this is the incredible achievement of building an Atal Tunnel on one of the most difficult terrains of the Pir Panjal ranges of Himachal Pradesh. 
 
The Border Roads Organisation has constructed a 52 kilometres long charcoal road in eastern Ladakh near Umlingla Pass at an altitude of 19,300 feet this month, creating a world record. 

Women empowerment 

Continuous efforts are being made to increase the participation of women in all branches of the Indian Army, the defence minister said, adding that the first batch of Women Military Police has been inducted into the Indian Army. 

"I extend my best wishes to 83 women soldiers who passed out in May 2021 after 61 weeks of rigorous training," Rajnath added.

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